With Fashion Week(s) quickly approaching, we can look forward to fashion parties galore in the next month or so. While I won’t be going to NYC for Fashion’s Night Out like I did last year, I will be hitting A-Line‘s Fashion Event and the FNO event at Saks downtown to hang with fellow fashion lovers and (window) shop my heart out!

Dressing for these events can be difficult, because you want to look good and show your style chops, but you don’t want to look like you tried TOO hard because that justaintcool. So, I have a formula* of sorts: Fabulous + Frumpy + Amazing Accessories

Fabulous is the bread and butter of a fashion party look. People need to know you BELONG there, and stare longingly at your shoes. However, you also need the Frumpy aspect because the idea is to make it look like you totally forgot about this party, and  just threw on your 5-inch stilettos and gold lame blazer before casually rollin’ through.

So the idea is to combine the Fabulous and the Frumpy, add sparkly statement accessories, and stir:

Aaaand…just for giggles, I made this handy-dandy video to further demonstrate the “formula”:

*Please note that though this is a Very Complicated Formula derived via Highly Scientific Analysis, it may not apply 100% in all cases. Take this advice with a grain of salt, preferably on the rim of a shot of Tequila.

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Recovering from a girl’s weekend in Pittsburgh where I partied like I was 20, which subsequently necessitated resting like I was 80. More on that later.

Now, in honor of the impending madness of Fashion Week, I’m feeling inspired by one of my favorite fashion staples: leopard print.

As usual, Miss Moss (or is it Mrs. Hince now?) gets it right; Leopard and sparkle is about as glam as it gets; Mixing spots with artsy prints in the same color palette is always effective; Leopard + another animal print + solid gold metallics = a solid win; Sheer leopard can be soft and sweetly edgy; Do not underestimate the power of leopard accents, especially when it comes to shoes.

Meanwhile, in Cincy

Speaking of Fashion Week, there are some fun fashion events taking place here in the Nati: A-Line magazine is throwing The Fashion Event at the Cincinnati Art Museum (I’ll be a moddle), and Saks is bringing Fashion’s Night Out (YESSS! Finally!) to the city. Unfortunately, they’re both on Thursday night so you may have to do some running around in your stilettos, but put on your best Fashion Event Outfit and get your party on!

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Cincinnati Fashion Week continued in full force after my coverage of Part I!

Graphic Fashion

On Thursday, Landor held a block party in the alley beside their offices to celebrate the unveiling of a new window display based on the synergistic relationship of graphic design and fashion. I’m all about THAT!

Landor’s windows are always a point of interest–everyone gathered around to see the creativity on display.

Like most Fashion Week parties, the place was rife with music, booze, and beautiful people!

Le Grand Finale

Lovely bathing suits (and a reminder to lay off the cake) by New York designer Cala Ossidiana

I arrived at The Edge (how long has that been under construction, anyway?) a little late because I was at a party, but managed to catch the tail end (ha!) of the first part of the show.

There were drinks, makeup lessons, a beautiful view of the city, and plenty of room to roam around and check out people’s outfits–the crowd was primed!

AmareSinh on the runway

When the show started again, I really enjoyed Philly designer AmareSinh‘s collection–lots of architectural shapes and edgy femininity. Since I’d arrived en retard, I missed Laura Dawson‘s wonderful presentation (she’s one of the most adorable people EVER) and planned to see it at the Merchant Fair at Brush Factory on Sunday, but it was rainy and cool all day, so most of my time was spent like this:

“What? You want me to get UP?”

Sometimes Beau has the right idea.

You can find more CFW coverage at 5chw4r7z, Style Edit, and The Fagazine.

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Monday was the start of Cincinnati Fashion Week, which means there have been parties and events for the fashion forward every night. I’m old and stuff, so I can’t do it all like I did last year, but I’ve managed to hit a few stops so far:

A-Line A-list

Monday was the A-Line/CFW Warhol Factory party, held at the old CAC. I’ve walked past that building a skabillion times and had no idea it was the old CAC, though I’m sure I visited when it was. See? Old.

There were plenty of drinks (including dangerously tasty ones mixed up by Molly Wellmann–and y’all know I’m a lightweight), fun photo booths by Framester, an American Apparel fashion show, and a profusion of hipsters large and small.

To a Tea

Wednesday evening, fashion collector Mary Baskett presented her impressive collection of Japanese designers at the Art Museum. Yohji, Comme, and Miyake, oh my!

I would’ve stayed for the party, but I’d spent most of the extremely hot day running around pulling items for A-Line, and like I said, I’m OLD y’all. I needed to soak in some Epsom salts, eat a sensible dinner, and go to bed at a reasonable hour–midnight.

I’ll report back after tonight’s shindig at Landor and this weekend’s events!

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I’ve never loved Frida Gianinni’s version of Gucci as much as I loved Tom Ford’s version, but this ish right here?

THE COLORS!

It was somewhat derivative and a bit costume-y, but I happen to love costumes, so the ’70s-meets-’40s vibe worked for me. It even inspired me to do some screen-shopping for highly saturated color and Dolemite-worthy headgear.

Cerrado Tunic, Anthropologie;Marc by Marc pencil skirt, Farfetch; Michael Michael Kors Zuma sunglasses, Nordstrom; Panama Cuenca hat, Panama Hat Mall;  Joseph shirtdress, La Garconne; Studio trousers, Zara; Dolce Vita suede tassel loafers, Urban Outfitters

Unfortunately, my own closet is sorely lacking in bright colors. I took  a quick inventory and wound up with a pitiful little pile of six or seven items lumped sadly on my bed. TEH SADZ!

How do you recreate a look if you don’t have all the pieces to make it work? I sense fabric dye in my future…

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The fun thing about Fall Fashion Week is that it takes place when the weather is still cool enough to wear–or at least be inspired to wear–clothes that are currently in season. A few of my favorite trends:

I’m uncharacteristically into color–reds, yellows, greens, maybe even a blue or two. No more Less gray, please!

I wear solid colors (gray and black count as colors, right?) a good 80% of the time. Right now, I’m feeling the need to mix it up, so split-personality prints are very appealing.

My menswear-loving heart appreciates all of the tux/le smoking-inspired looks.

What were your favorites from New York Fashion Week?

Ooh, did I mention I ran into George Clooney and Ryan Gosling? There were hordes of people–and by people, I mean WOMEN–charging towards them, camera phones at the ready. I happened to have my Nikon and this was the best shot I could get:

Sometimes I hate being short.

George and I exchanged a few sultry glances, unbeknownst to the rest of the crowd.

Call me, boo!

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Sometimes it seems like Fashion Week exists just to make us drool over clothes and accessories no one can wear for another four months. Thanks to the convoluted cycle of the fashion industry, the finery strutting down the runways in September won’t be available in stores until February or March.

Howevah.

One of the reasons I pay attention to the designer shows is they always offer a bit of inspiration. Interpretation of a season’s trend or even a single look doesn’t have to be literal–it can help you think of different ways to put together items already in your closet.

For instance, I spotted this shorts and blouse combo on the runway at PPQ.

Is it the exact same look? Nope! I took liberties with fit and detail and did my own thing with accessories.

Thrifted blouse, shorts, belt, and shoes

Would I have thought to wear these two items together before? Probably not, as they reside in different parts of my “mental wardrobe.” The runway look triggered the idea.

I also came across this look from Malandrino:

My first thought was “Hey, I have a similar top!” And while I don’t have trousers made of sheer netting (does anyone?) and a huge necklace, it should be easy enough to find or create reasonable substitutes.

H&M top, The Limited trousers, vintage shoes, DIY necklace

See? The runway can be inspirational without being taken literally!

Do you pay attention to Fashion Week? How does it inspire you?

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